The correct option is 2 only
Explanation
The linguistic composition of India is characterized by immense diversity, classified into major language families such as Indo-European (Aryan), Dravidian, Austric (Nishada), and Sino-Tibetan (Kirata). The Census of India records language data, providing insights into the relative proportions of speakers for various scheduled and non-scheduled languages.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: According to the Census of India (2011), Hindi is the most widely spoken language, accounting for approximately 43.63% of the total population. It constitutes the highest percentage among all scheduled languages, followed distantly by Bengali and Marathi.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Linguistic regions in India do not possess sharp or distinct boundaries. Instead, there is a gradual transition or continuum where languages and dialects merge into one another. This phenomenon creates transition zones where multiple languages overlap, rather than rigid dividing lines.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: In the traditional classification of Indian linguistic families based on ancient literature:
- The Austric language family is referred to as Nishada.
- The Sino-Tibetan language family is referred to as Kirata.
Key Takeaway: Hindi is the largest linguistic group in India. The four major language families correspond to specific traditional names: Indo-European (Aryan), Dravidian (Dravida), Austric (Nishada), and Sino-Tibetan (Kirata).